Richmond Hill Law Blog

Helping Georgia residents understand their bankruptcy options

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in chapter 13 bankruptcy on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

For some readers of this blog, bankruptcy may sound like a bad thing. It is not uncommon for people to have preconceived notions about the process and about the kinds of people who may have to use it to salvage their financial futures. In reality, however, bankruptcy is a useful option for everyday people who have gotten stuck in a cycle of debt.

Bankruptcy gives people a way out of their overwhelming debts. Although not every type of loan or debt is dischargeable in bankruptcy, many obligations like credit card debt, medical debt, and others can be reduced or eliminated through the utilization of bankruptcy.

What happens to your house if you file for bankruptcy?

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

It is normal that when it comes to bankruptcy there are a lot of questions. Many questions stem from how you will be able to manage your finances in the future. A popular question that is often asked when it comes to bankruptcy is: Will I be able to keep my house?

There is not a definite yes or no to that question, but the good news is most of the people that declare bankruptcy will keep their homes. There are a few factors involved that will determine if you are able to keep your house through bankruptcy.

Penalties for drug possession conviction in Georgia

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in drug offenses on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

Drugs and illegal substances are classified into different schedules under Georgia law. While substances that are considered extremely likely to be abused and do not have medical purposes are considered Schedule I drugs, substances that may be used to treat medical conditions and have low risks for abuse are considered Schedule V drugs. Three other categories exist between these two.

Depending upon the schedule of drug a person is accused of possessing and the amount they allegedly have, their penalties could vary. For example, a conviction based on the possession of a Schedule I drug may result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years for a repeat offender, while conviction of possession of a Schedule V substance may yield a one to five-year prison sentence.

What does it mean to liquidate my assets?

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in chapter 7 bankruptcy on Friday, August 3, 2018.

Personal bankruptcy is often pursued through one of two processes: Chapter 13 bankruptcy or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. While Chapter 13 bankruptcies allow individuals to keep their property and repay their creditors over time through the execution of repayment plans, Chapter 7 bankruptcy takes a very different approach to debt settlement. Chapter 7 debtors generally do not have any extra income to create repayment plans and, therefore, are required to sell off or liquidate some of their property to pay down their outstanding financial obligations.

This may sound incredibly overwhelming, but individuals should know that the liquidation process will not leave them completely destitute. Bankruptcy filers must have some assets to rebuild their lives with when their Chapter 7 discharges are achieved; therefore, some property is exempt from liquidation.

What is the purpose of a speed limit on a Georgia road?

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in traffic violations on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Driving on the roads of Georgia is a privilege for men and women who hold drivers' licenses. Drivers who wish to operate their vehicles must pass knowledge and operation tests before they are permitted to legally drive and, once they receive their licenses, they are bound to follow the rules of the road to keep themselves and others safe. One of the most common driving rules that drivers must understand is speeding and what it means to follow speed limits.

A speed limit is a posted speed in miles per hour that indicates the maximum speed at which a person may drive on any given road. Drivers probably know that different types of roads have different speed limits, such as slower speed limits in residential zones and faster speed limits on highways and interstates.

Provocation and recovery for a dog bite injury

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in dog bites on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

Anyone who has ever played with a puppy may know that the more aggressive the person is with the dog, the more aggressive the dog may get with them. A dog may get more and more excitable as their owner or playmate encourages them to run, chase or fetch; in Georgia, a person who instigates a dog into action and then suffers a bite because of it may lose their right to collect damages for their injuries.

Generally, dog bites are considered personal injuries and, therefore, those who suffer them can sue for the recovery of their damages. However, just as a person who causes their own harm when they slip and fall on a wet floor they created cannot collect damages for their self-inflicted pain, a dog bite victim may not be able to collect damages if they pushed the dog into attacking them.

What to do as the passenger in an Uber or Lyft accident

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Getting from point A to point B has perhaps never been more convenient than with the advent of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. Passengers no longer worry about getting a ride home after bar close or a late flight since a ride can arrive at the tap of a screen.

Along with the ease and accessibility of these apps does come a few safety concerns. There are the usual risks of car accidents, but with the added challenge of not knowing the driver of your vehicle and trying to deal with a corporation to handle the aftermath.

What personal injuries are common to car collisions?

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, July 13, 2018.

Even though car accidents are common on Georgia roads the injuries that can result from them can vary greatly. For this reason it is important that individuals who are hurt in motor vehicle accidents seek medical treatment for their specific health needs. Seeking medical help is not only necessary for them to recover from their injuries but also to begin building a record of damages in the event that they choose to file personal injury lawsuits against the negligent parties who caused their collisions.

Even though victims' injuries can look very different between two car accidents there are some common ailments that vehicle crash victims often sustain. Due to the significant impacts that many victims experience when their vehicles crash into other objects, victims often suffer trauma to their heads and necks. Concussions and brain injuries happen when victims' head hit steering wheels, dashboards and other fixed objects in their vehicles; neck injuries often result in rear-end collisions and when whiplash is caused by the crashes.

Don't get stuck with a Fourth of July DUI

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in DUI on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Between the many barbeques and parties, fireworks and parades that Georgia residents will attend over the Fourth of July week many individuals will have to spend significant time in their vehicles. This is because all throughout the state individuals want to pass their time with the friends and family members that they love the most. And while they are in their vehicles and on their way to their destinations, police officers will be out in full force to watch for allegedly illegal conduct.

Drunk driving is a major concern for law enforcement officials over the Fourth of July. Because of this, local agencies may send out more officers to patrol and may set up more sobriety checkpoints to make sure drivers are not in violation of the state's drunk driving laws.

What is Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

On behalf of Balbo & Gregg, Attorneys at Law, P.C. posted in chapter 13 bankruptcy on Thursday, June 28, 2018.

Deciding to file for personal bankruptcy can be a difficult process for a Georgia resident. For this reason it can be beneficial to some to consult with legal representatives who understand the types of bankruptcy available to men and women in the state before they commit to a particular bankruptcy path. This post shares general information about Chapter 13 bankruptcy but as with all posts on this blog readers are advised that no legal advice is imparted through its content.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is sometimes called reorganization bankruptcy. This is because during the Chapter 13 process a person is asked to create a plan to repay their debts to their creditors. They effectively must reorganize their finances so that they can find disposable income to put toward the satisfaction of their debts.